like pipits? Siberian pipits by Andy Birch (AB), Brian Small (@southwoldbrdr) and myself in British Birds. A long-needed update of the original article Andy and I did nearly two decades ago.

It's flycatcher season. This is an Acadian Flycatcher, the first Empidonax to arrive in the eastern US. All the other Empidonax arrive primarily in May. Acadian is the most misidentified flycatcher in the east. In the East, learn the Acadian well and you will be one with…

Chestnut-collared Longspur along the Texas coast. When I started birding many years ago, we all thought these were a type of sparrow, but looks like they're not really closely related to sparrows. These sparrow-like birds walk on the ground like mouse, weaving in and out of the…

I can always tell if someone used ChatGTP or the likes to write because the writing is just flowery bullshit. And AI is so consistent that every person that uses AI starts to sound the same. If you want to destroy your own creativity, sell your soul to AI.

If, at the most basic level, you cannot explain what you are doing to a kid, it probably means you don't understand what you are doing. If you need to use big words to explain your model, then it means you're hiding your insecurities. Kids are quite perceptive.

I am working on a book on geology, mineral resources and civilization, quite a departure from my more technical writings. Any literary agents out there interested in such work? I have some contacts but thought I'd just see what happens here (I may regret LOL!).

Western Kingbird in April in Arizona. Western Kingbirds have jet black tails that contrast with the rest of their body and wings. The white outer margin to the tail is also diagnostic when visible.

Learn more from @lalabirding and my new book on Flycatchers of North America:…

I recognize the importance of AI but there r negative impacts. A rather inefficient algorithm made possible today with fast computing. That means we will consume ever more energy. Renewable energies cannot keep pace. Fossil fuels will drive AI. theguardian.com/technology/202…

Kilbourne Hole, part of a series of young (a few tens of thousands of y) eruptions in s New Mexico. A phreatomagmatic eruption, where magmas encounter water saturated sediments. Rapid vaporization results in an explosive eruption of magma and sediment, leaving behind a crater.

Coral bean beans. Ready to plant.

The Rice U student bird trip to High Island. Group photo. But look who we encountered! Victor Emanuel, one of the last people to have ever seen the now extinct Eskimo Curlew. ⁦Rice University⁩

This elegant trogon flew over me when I was looking at some rhyolites. This is why geologists often become birders.